Alter Bridge One Day Remains CD

3 Members Of Creed W/ New Frontman

Alter Bridge: Brian Marshall (bass instrument); Mark Tremonti, Myles Kennedy, Scott Phillips.
Personnel: Mark Tremonti (vocals, guitar); Myles Kennedy (vocals); Blumpy (keyboards, programming); Scott Phillips (drums).
Audio Mixer: Ben Grosse.
Recording information: Empty Studios, Orlando, FL; The Mix Room, Burbank, CA; Tree Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA.
Editors: Adam Barber; Blumpy.
Photographers: Daniel Tremonti; Pamela Littky; Pat Costa.
Arranger: Alter Bridge.
Alter Bridge aligns the original Creed lineup of guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips, and bassist Brian Marshall with vocalist Myles Kennedy, formerly of late- '90s modern rock hopefuls Mayfield Four. The resulting One Day Remains retains some Creed-isms, like Tremonti's foot-on-monitor-wedge showboating, or the thickheaded riffs that unfold smoothly into elegiac, radio-ready choruses (Creed diehards are going to love "Open Your Eyes"). But Kennedy isn't nearly as melodramatic as Scott Stapp was, and his reaching back to wail like vintage Chris Cornell fits nicely with Alter Bridge's more aggressive moments. Witness the chunky PRS shredding of "Metalingus," the Metallica influence in "Watch Your Words," or the slaves and bulldozers of pounding opener "Find the Real." Principal writers Tremonti and Kennedy don't shy away from spiritual generalizations -- believing in the promise of a new day, for example, in "Burn It Down." There's also the dualistic quality of the band's name and album artwork, as well as a fold-out poster emblazoned with the title track's lyrics. "When every wound has been opened/And in this world of give and take you must have faith." This stuff muddies the line between old group and new; together with flourish-laden post-grunge pacesetters like "Broken Wings," "In Loving Memory," and "Shed My Skin," it suggests Alter Bridge is happier courting Creed's constituency than establishing the promise of its more metal side. ~ Johnny Loftus
Soon after the demise of Creed was made public to the world, guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott "Flip" Phillips, and returning bassist Brian Marshall announced they would form a new band. Enter singer Myles Kennedy of the fiercely underrated Mayfield Four, also known for his cameo in the movie ROCK STAR. Like that film's main character, Kennedy picks up the torch tossed aside by a departing frontman, leading to Alter Bridge's debut, ONE DAY REMAINS.
The chemistry of the group on this album is an undeniable force. While inevitable shadows of Creed cast themselves across "Broken Wings" and "Open Your Eyes," the bulk of new material is fresher and stronger than much of that ensemble's work. "The End Is Here" and the title track, in particular, showcase the band's strengths, boasting a musical depth and songwriting craft that seemed beyond the reach of Alter Bridge's previous incarnation. Tremonti plays with renewed fire and conviction, while Kennedy's emotive tenor glides above with soulful ease. Named by Tremonti for a personal symbol of crossing into the unknown, Alter Bridge does so with reverence for the past and an even keener sense of the future.

Entertainment Weekly (p.74) - "Mark Tremonti steps out of his shell with some tasty guitar pyrotechnics. The group has a harder edge than Creed..." - Grade: B